Although still somewhat speculative just now, word has it at The Inquirer today that there's a good chance "Vista" will be the last variant of Windows based operating systems from the giant software mob.

IT'S NOT just IDC that's got its crystal balls out of its magic cupboard. Gartner today issued its end of year predictions, one of which contradicts Steve Ballmer's denial that Vista will be the last Windows.

Gartner said that next gen operating environments will be modular and be updated incrementally. "The era of monolithic deployments of software releases is nearing an end," it said. "Microsoft will be a visible player in this movement and the result will be more flexible updates to Windows and a new focus on quality overall."